Introduction and Purpose
This standard, NFPA 790, is designed to ensure the competency of third-party organizations that perform field evaluations of electrical equipment. It provides a framework for assessing the qualifications and capabilities of these bodies, ensuring that field evaluations are conducted accurately and reliably.
The primary purpose of NFPA 790 is to enhance electrical safety by establishing clear criteria for the proficiency of Field Evaluation Bodies (FEBs). This helps to ensure that installed electrical equipment, particularly that which has not been previously certified, listed, recognized, or classified, meets necessary safety standards.
Scope and Application
NFPA 790 applies to third-party organizations that conduct field evaluations of electrical equipment. It specifies the requirements for their operational procedures, personnel qualifications, and overall management systems to ensure consistent and competent evaluation services.
This standard is intended for use by accreditation bodies, regulatory authorities, and the Field Evaluation Bodies themselves to establish and maintain a high level of competency in the field evaluation process. It covers both the initial assessment and ongoing monitoring of FEB proficiency.
Key Principles and Compliance
The principles outlined in NFPA 790 are based on international standards for conformity assessment, specifically ISO/IEC 17020 (Conformity assessment — Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection) and ISO/IEC 17065 (Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services). Adaptations have been made to specifically address the unique attributes of field evaluations.
Compliance with NFPA 790 ensures that Field Evaluation Bodies operate with impartiality, competence, and consistency, providing reliable evaluations that contribute to the overall safety of electrical installations.
Relationship with NFPA 791
NFPA 790 is designed to be used in conjunction with NFPA 791, Recommended Practice and Procedures for Unlabeled Electrical Equipment Evaluation. While NFPA 790 focuses on the competency of the evaluation body, NFPA 791 provides the recommended practices and procedures for conducting the actual evaluation of unlabeled electrical equipment.
Together, these two standards provide a comprehensive approach to ensuring the safety and compliance of electrical equipment that undergoes field evaluation.
Product Overview
Image: Front cover of the NFPA 790 standard document. The cover is predominantly red with "NFPA" and "790" prominently displayed in white. Below "790" is the title "Standard for Competency of Third-Party Field Evaluation Bodies" and the year "2021". The NFPA logo is also visible at the bottom left.
The NFPA 790 standard is presented in a clear, organized format, making it accessible for professionals in the electrical safety and evaluation fields. This edition, published in 2021, incorporates the latest industry best practices and regulatory considerations.
Specifications
| Publisher | NFPA |
| Publication Date | January 1, 2021 |
| Language | English |
| ISBN-10 | 1455926442 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1455926442 |
About NFPA
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. NFPA delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach, and advocacy.
For more information about NFPA and their mission, please visit their official website: www.nfpa.org.
